2008 Year in Review

First-ever Hiddleson School Reunion

Front Row (kneeling): Joan (Dykema) Jackson, Rena (Akker)
Heusinkveld, Nancy (James) Shank, Ruth (Bush) Tichler, Willy Rice, Nancy (VanderVinne) Dykstra.


Second Row: Don Dykema, Marge (Reynolds) Baker, Patricia (Vanderlaan) Pessman, Karen (Beswick) Howe, Barb (Dykema) Bush, Marjorie (Pessman) Kuiper, Yvonne (Bush) Gray, Pat
(Dykema) Rizzo, Keith Vandermyde, Kathie (Houseman) Ellicott, Bob Vandermyde, Gilbert Stralow, Dale Dykema


Third Row: Dave Wiersema, Arlyn Snyder, Jim Stralow, Dave Vanderlaan, Ernest Stralow, Everett Pannier, Ron Wiersema, Bob Wiersema, Kenneth Beswick, George Snyder,
Lawrence Bush, Don Beswick, Jim Snyder.


Attended but not present for photo (came after photo was taken): Kenny Pannier, Sr., Jane (Johnson) Rickman, Virginia (Bush) Carroll, Steve Bush, Sherri (Tiesman) Wagner, Kathy (Tiesman) Huett, Mark Frankfotter.
Photo by Amy Richmond

The day dawned perfect for the first-ever Reunion of the Hiddleson School, which served as a two-room rural grade school in Mt. Pleasant Township from 1856 - 1967. The school was located on the southeast corner of Holly and Lyndon Road and now serves as a residence for Barry and Jan Huizenga.

The reunion was held at Rockwood State Park near Morrison, with over 70 attendees and guests in attendance, including Vernon Schaver and Mrs. Alice Bordner, who were the school’s last teachers, and Mrs. Pat Wagenecht, who taught at several rural schools during her teaching career. Mr. Kenneth Kuehl, who is currently finishing a 13-year research project on rural education in Whiteside County, was also present, as well as Barry and Jane Huizenga.

Dave Vanderlaan gave the opening prayer, and following a delicious potluck, Don Beswick and Patricia Pessman presented the program, that was enjoyed by all.

Former teachers, Vernon Schaver and Alice Bordner gave some brief comments about their teaching days, as well as Mrs. Wagenecht.

Barry and Jane Houzenga shared an interesting story of discovering a baseball ball (still in good condition!) in one of the walls of their home during a recent renovation project!

Mr. Kuehl spoke briefly about his research project that is nearly completed. He is compiling a record of rural education in Whiteside County (14 volumes), using issues of the Whiteside Sentinel dating back to 1858, on file at the Odell Library. These booklets are available for anyone to view at the Library and the Morrison Museum.

Several awards were given out at the program, with recipients being: Person coming the furthest from outside the state - Joan (Dykema) Jackson from Phoenix, Arizona; Person coming the furthest from inside the state - Pat (Dykema) Rizzo from Glenview, IL; Oldest 8th grade Hiddleson graduate present - Mrs. Rena Heusinkveld, Morrison, a 1918 graduate; Youngest 8th grade graduate present - Mr. Don Beswick, Morrison, a 1963 graduate; Oldest Hiddleson attendee without graduating - Mr. Ernest Stralow, Morrison, attended school in the 20’s for three years through 3rd grade when his parents moved outside of the township; Youngest Hiddleson attendee without graduating - Ms. Cheri Tiesman, who attended the school the final year of operation and was in 1st grade. Door prize winner was, Mr. Everett Pannier, Morrison. Mrs. Nancy (James) Shank also won for coming the closest to guessing the total number of rural schools in Whiteside County (132). All winners received a copy of a 14 x 11 drawing of Hiddleson School, sketched by former teacher, Vernon Schaver for this reunion. This drawing was a re-doing of one done by Vernon in 1967 at the time the school was closed. Vern gave this picture to Alice Bordner, who still has this picture today.

Vernon also graciously donated another copy of one of his works, a painting of De Immigant Windmill in Fulton, and winning this grand prize was Mr. Bob Vandermyde, Morrison.

Closing comments were given by Don and a poem shared by Patricia. At the conclusion of the program, a celebration cake was cut by Mrs. Bordner and Mr. Schaver.

As part of the reunion, a 50-page research booklet was compiled by Patricia, giving the schools history. This was on display and made available to those attending as a great keepsake. There was also a nice display of memorabilia and old school photos brought by those attending.

By a show of hands, it was decided to have another reunion in July of 2010. Barry and Jane have offered to have it at their home (and our former school). The committee of Don Beswick and Patricia Pessman wishes to thank everyone who came to this reunion and encourages everyone to put down a tentative date of the fourth Saturday in July of 2010 as the date for our next reunion.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
August 25, 2008